A Night For The Whole Family

Published: November 22, 1999 12:00AM

For the holiday hearted or those with young children, the Friday after Thanksgiving is a good way to stuff yourself some more and then walk some of it off with the Chamber-sponsored Home for the Holidays downtown promotion.

As if last year's progressive snack, tree lighting and visit from the Jolly Old Elf himself weren't enough, the Orrville Area Chamber of Commerce, under the leadership of retail events manager Vanessa Brower, has added more activities this year.

The event centers around the Orrville tree lighting ceremony at the Fire Station on North Vine Street at 6:30 p.m.

But Brower has managed to lasso in more community and merchant involvement to make it a night for the whole family. "That first year, there were about 75 people at the tree lighting. Last year, it was estimated that about 300 to 400 people were there," said Brower, who has served as the retail events manager since April 1998. "We want to keep getting better every year."

Offsetting the turnout, (and it will be happening again this year), the Orrville football team was involved in a playoff game that night.

However, those who do attend will not go hungry.

"I think it was Roger Scott from the (Orrville Railroad) Heritage Society who came up with the idea of the snack," she said, "which really isn't progressive, it's really grazing!"

The menu varies from location to location and the offerings range from hot dogs (Seifried's) and sloppy joe's (Johnson's Hardware, courtesy of Jerry's Cafe) to cookies, ice cream sandwiches, gourmet coffee (Sonia's Rose Garden, Dairy Queen and Daily Record at Sonia's) to soup and crackers and cheese.

And the best part, everything is free!

This year, 55 merchants are participating in downtown businesses -- and some are "co-ops." In other words, non-downtown businesses are setting up their tables and displays with another downtown location so that all the happenings are within an easy walking distance.

New this year -- and also free-- are carriage rides at the Depot, the OrrvilleLites (mobile living lights display), pictures with Santa (135 N. Main St.), crafts and cookie decorating stations for kids (various locations), mobile carolers and free gift wrapping.

Events are scheduled as follows:

All stores will be open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Santa arrives via fire truck at the Fire Station on North Vine Street at 6:30 p.m. He will pass out chocolates to the children compliments of Buehler's.

For a nominal fee, photos by J. Augspurger will be available for children at "Santa's Workshop," at 135 N. Main St. The empty storefront was decorated for the event by the Orrville Junior High School Student Council as a community service project. (Other photo times at the above location are Saturday, Dec. 4 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. and Monday, Dec. 13 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.)

Free carriage rides with Bob Fisher of Wooster will start at the Depot and take passengers up and back down Market Street. The horses will be donning their Christmas red bows and jingling their sleigh bells.

The Orrville Public Library will host Silly Putty making and Christmas story readings at the Savings Bank & Trust Company with director Cindy Lombardo's dog "Darby" dressed as a reindeer.

Personalized ornament making will be housed at the Art In Design Studio, North Main Street.

Free gift wrapping compliments of Grace Community Church will be at their building at the Jeff Wiles Realty Block, West High Street.

The OrrvilleLites, a living lights display, will be debuting the night of the event. The group of community volunteers will roam Main and Market streets for the enjoyment of the community. Encore performances will be on the following three Thursdays, Dec. 2, 9 and 16 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Volunteers are still needed for this. Call the Chamber at 682-8881 for more information.)

Best decorated Christmas tree contest. Any participant may vote on their favorite and most creatively decorated tree for that merchant to win a Buy Orrville gift certificate.

Carolers of community volunteers from local churches will be meandering through the crowds with gifts of song.

Friday and Saturday, Nov. 26 and 27, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., as a fund-raiser for several Orrville non-profit organizations, the Orrville Union Depot will be open for tours of the 1868 railroad building with model train displays by the Wooster Society of Model Railroaders and short train rides in authentic passenger coaches (donations accepted.) Santa will be there for photos from 2 p.m.

In addition, the Orrville Historical Museum, D & J Hobbies, 801 W. Market St., (with a large HO gauge train layout display), and the Orrville Model Railroad Club will also be open for tours. In addition, the Orrville Toy & Hobby Museum, 531 W. Smithville Road, will be open for a $2 admission fee.

Millersburg Kicks Off

Holidays With Open House

MILLERSBURG -- Santa Claus will kick off the holiday season in Millersburg on Friday at 6 p.m. when the Millersburg Business Associates and the Millersburg Lions Club sponsor a Christmas open house on the square in Millersburg and on the courthouse lawn.

A Ping-Pong drop will start the events at 6 p.m. Prizes will be awarded in four age groups -- 1 to 3 years, 4 to 6 years, 7 to 9 years and 10 to 12 years.

Santa will arrive at 7 p.m. to accept wish lists from children. A photographer will be present to take photos of children with Santa Claus. The cost is $1.

Stores in the village will be open until 8 p.m. There will be a drawing for special prizes. The winner of a drawing on Sunday will receive a night's stay at the Comfort Inn and dinner for two at West Fork Restaurant.